Action on Bladder Cancer:
Questions you may wish to discuss with your doctor
As you commence your own treatment journey, there will no doubt be questions that arise and areas of treatment that you would like further information on. The following list of questions may help to provide a starting point for your discussions with your own doctor or healthcare professional:
Going for Tests
- What test(s) will I need?
- Why is (are) this (these) needed?
- What does each test involve? How long will it take? Do I need to take anyone with me? Can I drive afterwards? Do I need to stay in hospital? Do I need to stop any of my medication before hand? Will I feel unwell after the test?
- When am I likely to get the results?
- What happens next?
Going for Treatment
- What are the treatment options available for my cancer? Is one option better than another for me?
- Why is this the best treatment option for me?
- Are there any clinical trials I can be involved with?
- What does the treatment involve?
- How often does the treatment happen, how long does it take and where does it take place
- What are the potential side effects?
- Are these side effects temporary or permanent?
- How can these side effects be made better?
- Will I still be able to work during my treatment? How else might the side effects impact on my life?
- Will any other medical conditions affect my treatment in terms of its success or the potential side effects?
- What is the success rate of treatment?
- Where can I find more information?
- Are there any support groups?
- Can I talk to another patient about treatment?
About Surgery
- Why is the surgery necessary?
- What does it involve?
- How long will I be in hospital for?
- Will this cure my cancer or will I need further treatment?
- What are the risks of surgery?
- What will happen to my urine and what alternatives are available?
- Is there a clinical trial I can join?
- What will happen if I choose not to have the surgery?
- How long will I take to recover?
- What are the after-effects?
- After I leave hospital, am I likely to need help at home? How much?
- When will I be able to go back to work or drive again?
- How will it affect my sex life?
- What will happen after surgery in terms of follow up and further treatments?
About Radiotherapy
- How long is the course of radiotherapy?
- How many sessions will be required and how often do they happen?
- How long is each session?
- Will I be able to continue work during this time?
- What can I expect from the treatment itself?
- What are the potential side effects?
- How should I manage these side effects? When should I report them to the doctor?
- Is there anything I need to do in terms of skincare or diet?
- What is likely to happen if I choose not to have radiotherapy?
- Will I need any extra tests during treatment?
- When will I have checks after treatment finishes?
- Are there any clinical trials I can be involved with?
About Chemotherapy
- How long is the course of chemotherapy?
- How often does it happen and how many times?
- Where does it happen?
- What are the names of the drugs?
- What side effects are possible?
- Who should I contact if I feel unwell during treatment?
- Will any of my other tablets affect the chemotherapy?
- Will any of my other health problems affect the chemotherapy?
- What will the chemotherapy do?
- Will I have any tests during the treatment?
- How will I be followed up?
- Is other treatment possible?
- Are there any clinical trials I can be involved with?
PLEASE NOTE: The content provided on this website is for information only. We are not able to answer individual questions on personal medical matters. For specific personal health problems or queries, please seek professional medical advice from your doctor.
